Oxford City F.C.

Oxford City
Full name Oxford City Football Club
Nickname(s) The City
Founded 1882
Ground Court Place Farm, Marston
(Capacity: 2,000 (250 seated))
Chairman Brian Cox
Manager Mike Ford
League Southern League Premier Division
2010–11 Southern League Premier Division, 14th
Home colours
Away colours

Oxford City Football Club is an English football club, currently playing in the Southern Football League Premier Division after gaining promotion via the Division One South & West playoffs. They play their home games at Court Place Farm in Marston, near Oxford, Oxfordshire.

Contents

History

The club was formed in 1882 and soon became the leading club in Oxfordshire, winning the FA Amateur Cup in 1906, before joining the Isthmian League the following year.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the club went into decline and soon fell behind Headington United after that club turned professional in 1949. An attempt was made to return the club to success in 1979 when it became a limited company and later when the legendary Bobby Moore was appointed manager with his former West Ham United team-mate Harry Redknapp as his assistant.

The club reached its lowest point in 1988 when they were evicted from their White House Ground by their landlords Brasenose College, who sold it off for housing. Forced to resign from the Isthmian League, the club did not return to senior football until 1990 when based at Cutteslowe Park, they entered the South Midlands League Division One, winning promotion in their first season. They returned to the Isthmian League in 1993 when they also moved to their current ground. The club continued to climb through the divisions of that League during the 1990s and reached the final of the FA Vase in 1995.

Highlights of the next decade included two years in the Isthmian League Premier Division and an epic FA Cup run in 1999-2000 which culminated in a three-game battle against Wycombe Wanderers in the First Round proper, eventually being edged out 1-0 at Oxford United's Manor Ground. The first replay had been abandoned due to a fire alarm just as the penalty shootout was about to start;[1] this remains the only FA Cup tie to go to a second replay since the FA ruled all ties should be settled after a maximum of two games. This rule change also means that City's other FA Cup record - the six games needed before losing to Alvechurch in 1971-72 - will probably never be beaten.

In 2005 the club were relegated back to the South Midlands League, but were promoted at the first time of asking under manager Andy Lyne, winning both the Championship and the Premier Cup.

In November 2006 Lyne resigned as manager to become the club's Director of Football. He was succeeded by Justin Merritt as Player Manager with former Oxford United player Mike Ford as his assistant. Merritt subsequently stepped down in August 2009 and Ford took over as manager.

On 3 May 2008, Oxford City were promoted from the Southern League Division One South and West with a 1-0 win over Uxbridge.

The club currently run over 30 teams under the chairmanship of Brian Cox, with sides for men, women, boys and girls.

In the club's first season of Southern Premier Football they achieved an excellent 6th place, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

Players

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
GK Jason Mooney
GK Keith McCloughing
DF Andrew Ballard
DF Wayne Blossom (captain)
DF Adam Learoyd
DF James Clarke
DF Marvin Martin
DF Jack Ashton
DF Matt Clarke
MF Declan Benjamin
No. Position Player
MF Liam Malone
MF Reece Fleet
MF Darren Pond
MF Mark Bell
MF Michael Lyon
MF Kynon Isaac
FW Felipe Barcelos
FW Lee Steele
FW Steve Basham
FW Conor McDonagh

Notable players/staff

A number of players and staff who have been associated with City have enjoyed wider fame in football. These include:

Honours

References

External links